Grid edge

Grid edge

Smart electric panels in homes could prevent overtaxing the grid

As more homes are electrified, utility circuits could face major upgrade costs. Or smart panels and controls could help save the day, a new study says.

By Jeff St. John . 18 July 2022
Solar

How rooftop solar got big: Sunrun hits milestone of 5 gigawatts installed

Canary talks to Sunrun CEO Mary Powell on the U.S. home-solar leader's first 15 years, its Ford electric truck partnership, and what comes next.

By Julian Spector . 28 June 2022
Grid edge

OhmConnect raises $55M to enlist more homes to prevent blackouts

This summer will be tough on U.S. power grids. Startup OhmConnect is ready to pay 200,000-plus households to help out by saving energy.

By Jeff St. John . 9 June 2022
Guides and how-tos

The power grid explained — plus demand response, virtual power plants and more

Canary Media defines the concepts that are key to a clean, distributed electricity system, from "behind the meter" to "balancing the grid."

By Alison F. Takemura . 2 June 2022
EV charging

EV-charging microgrids are worth more than the sum of their parts. Here's why

Scale Microgrid Solutions says pairing electric trucks with solar, batteries and backup power can help fleet operators, financiers and utilities alike.

By Jeff St. John . 23 May 2022
Grid edge

How AI chips could make smart meters smarter

Grid tech vendor Utilidata and chipmaker Nvidia see artificial intelligence as the best way to manage a grid with more and more solar, batteries and EVs.

By Jeff St. John . 19 May 2022
Grid edge

Schneider buys AutoGrid to tap huge potential of distributed energy resources

Schneider Electric wants to connect utility grids with the world of energy behind the utility meter. Autogrid’s virtual-power-plant technology platform will help.

By Jeff St. John . 11 May 2022
Grid edge

Sense raises $105M to bring real-time home energy data to the masses

Can household energy use be sensed down to the individual plug load? Yes, says this startup, which is embedding its tech in smart meters and electrical panels.

By Jeff St. John . 3 May 2022
EV charging

Helping auto dealers learn to love EVs

Car dealers are struggling with the shift to selling EVs. JouleSmart and mCloud created an energy management package that can make it easier.

By Jeff St. John . 18 April 2022
Grid edge

Home water heaters: A new ally in making grids cleaner

Smart water heaters can soak up clean power, then turn off when the grid is stressed. A new California utility pilot will test the concept at scale.

By Jeff St. John . 11 April 2022